Just got our Honda 2.2 diesel CRV yesterday.
Can anyone please advise on what towbar to purchase. Wondered if there was a problem with the fixed type recognising the reversing sensors when not towing.......or is it better to get the detachable?
We paid the premium and had the Honda fixed tow bar fitted, complete with the specific wiring loom and softwear upgrade to avoid any problems with the rear camra sensors, and also to save the faff of sorting out a detachable towbar every time we wanted to tow as my husband is no longer a spring chicken and finds it difficult to bend or kneel on the floor for any length of time.
There are a few horror stories floating around the caravanning forums regarding those that have gone for the cheaper option and let a local workshop fit a bog standard towbar and wiring loom, only to find its been false economy due to the problems with the rear sensors setting the collision alarm off whist towing or indeed sensing the towball cap or even the towball itself when fitted. Even when a detachable towbar is fitted you still run the risk of the alarms going off once the caravan is hitched up unless you have the correct wiring loom and Honda softwear upgrade installed. It is quite a big job to fit a towbar to a CRV, l was amazed at how much of the rear end had to be dismantled to do the job, quite a bit of the inner rear trim had to be removed, as did the entire rear bumper, it was a full days job, but has been well worth it and the extra cost involved, as it now works very well indeed.
One little heads up though, Honda are due out with a softwear upgrade ( which may have already been fitted to your car if its fresh of the production line) this is to stop the tyre pressure warning light comming on when the tyres get hot on a long journey, and only effects our CRV whilst towing on a motorway in hot weather. Its something that Honda are aware of, and it also effects some of the latest models of the Civic where the same technology is fitted. I have been waiting for an upgrade for a couple of months now, although its never happened again since our dealer reset the fault light for us a couple of months ago, but something to be aware of just in case, as it did cause us a bit of a faff the first time that it happened.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I bought a new CRV 2.2 last year and had the dealer fit a towcar. The sales manager did ask me if I preferred a fixed or detachable, I opted for fixed because that is what I had on my previous CRV. The reverse sensors were ok for a couple of months but then went bananas, to cut a long story short it was taken back twice, sensors showed up faulty on test and were replaced under warranty. Worked for all of 10 minutes on collection. Dealer apologised made another appointment came to our home with another CRV for our use and took ours back to Belfast. Honda replaced the tow bar with a detachable one and brought our CRV back to our home. The Service Manager told us that Honda did not recommend a fixed towball because of interference with the sensors. By the way my previous CRV did not have a reversing camera and distance warning system which may account for the sensitivity issues.
Since fitting detachable no problems.
Quote: Originally posted by Ards Boy on 23/11/2014
I bought a new CRV 2.2 last year and had the dealer fit a towcar. The sales manager did ask me if I preferred a fixed or detachable, I opted for fixed because that is what I had on my previous CRV. The reverse sensors were ok for a couple of months but then went bananas, to cut a long story short it was taken back twice, sensors showed up faulty on test and were replaced under warranty. Worked for all of 10 minutes on collection. Dealer apologised made another appointment came to our home with another CRV for our use and took ours back to Belfast. Honda replaced the tow bar with a detachable one and brought our CRV back to our home. The Service Manager told us that Honda did not recommend a fixed towball because of interference with the sensors. By the way my previous CRV did not have a reversing camera and distance warning system which may account for the sensitivity issues.
Since fitting detachable no problems.
We had a swan neck on my previous 2009 CRV Ex cdti and our present 2014 Dtec Sr , both had reversing sensors and the Sr has a camera and had no issues at all .
The only thing with a fixed towbar on the CRV is that you have to make sure that the towball protection cap is put on straight, if you try to fit one of the more bulky generic type, or if it gets accidently nudged sideways, you may get problems with it being detected as an obsticle by the camra sensors. Having said that, ours has only once done this since we bought it last March, and Yes, we did change thd original slotted type cap for a more sturdy one.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
I had the Honda towbar - it's a Brink - and electrics fitted to my CR-V. There were problems originally as the wiring to Pin 9 went via a smart relay that was rated at only 15 amps, and the 15 amp fuse blew as soon as I connected up the 'van. The ATC requires a 20 amp fuse. Honda eventually agreed to the Dealer by-passing the smart relay, and wiring Pin 9 directly from the battery via a 20 amp fuse. I understand Honda have now modified the wiring to take ATC into account.
My car will be two years old in January, and I have had no problems with any of the electrics on the car when the 'van is attached.
Quote: Originally posted by Lochnessmonster on 22/11/2014
Just got our Honda 2.2 diesel CRV yesterday. Can anyone please advise on what towbar to purchase. Wondered if there was a problem with the fixed type recognising the reversing sensors when not towing.......or is it better to get the detachable?
I have a 2010 CR V 2.2 auto and tow a Coachman with MLTPM of 1475kgs, it tows it no problem (22-26 mpg depending on journey, best was 27 mpg on a run into Norfolk, usually 22-24 mpg) would expect better mpg from a manual, auto tends to hunt around 4th and 5th. Auto has max towing weight of 1500kgs, manual 2000 kgs, nose weight 100kgs.
Had a detachable towbar fitted by Honda main dealer at a cost of £675 with twin electrics,(in 2012) my van does not have ATC so no problems in that dept re fuse blowing. Labour cost is based on 4 hours labour, had it fitted by main dealer as the car wa still under Honda warranty, this would avoid any issues with electronics if fitted by an independent and arguing who would rectify. Had no problems at all. The towbar is manufactured by Bosal, only recomendation I would make is to take it off when not using or take off and grease the pin after use and refit as the release knob can get quite stiff. Honda specify the skinny spare should not be used when towing ( I bought a full size matching spare and tyref off E Bay for £200). Also if you have to fit the skinny spare when running solo I was advised turn of the VSA ( car is fitted with 18" wheels ). Hope this helps
Initially replied on your original post by mistake
Quote: Originally posted by bobmel on 23/11/2014
Had fixed towbar on my CRV. No problems at all. The reversing camera was great when hooking up.
Me too, I had a detachable one on last Honda but the attachment 'socket' for want of a better word often got clogged up with mud & grit and was a pain to clean up especially after the winter.
Dave
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Mark Twain.
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Topic: FIxed or detachable towbar for Honda CRV?
